Second Swede sought over Auschwitz theft

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Polish authorities want to question a second Swede, millionaire Lars-Göran Wahlström, about the theft of the "Arbeit macht frei" sign at the Auschwitz concentration camp.

The news was reported by Polish daily Rzeczpospolita, quoting Austrian news agency APA. According to the newspaper, Wahlström has a Nazi past.

Wahlström currently has power of attorney over the affairs of Anders Högstrom, who in early April was extradited to Poland on suspicion of being the brains behind the theft. He has since been in custody in Krakow awaiting trial.

During questioning, Högstrom is thought to have accused Wahlström of commissioning him and several Polish men to steal the sign. Wahlström has long denied the charges, including in an interview with newspaper Aftonbladet in January, when he said that he would be happy to be questioned by Polish police.

The Polish prosecution's spokeswoman told Rzeczpospolita that Poland will once again request assistance from the Swedish authorities. She refused to confirm whether the application was regarding a hearing for Wahlström. However, the newspaper reports that it has received reliable information regarding the case.

The theft of the gateway sign from the site of the camp near the southern Polish city of Oswiecim, which became a notorious symbol of genocide by the occupying Nazi Germans, took place on December 18th.

Polish police recovered the five-metre metal "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign ("Work Will Set You Free" in German) two days later.

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